Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Dead Lap

My laptop is dead. Looking for a new one. Leaning towards the HP DV1000. Basically because I can get it cheaper than listed price, and the specs are good enough for me to run photoshop properly, or better than my dead laptop. I dont fancy Compaq, Acer, Dell, Sony, and Toshiba since I've had bad experiences with these laptops (spending hours trying to help friends sort their laptops out). My last laptop was an IBM which lasted me through six years of hard knocks, and various other abuses and the only thing that's gone wrong is the power adapter needed to be changed twice. Too bad they're outside of my current emergency budget.

Saturday, October 22, 2005

Pre-Check

It's confirmed, tomorrow is my phase one check. Since last night people have been coming up to me giving me advice, questions, and generally wishing me good luck. Cadets going up for their final flight check gets less attention than one who is going for their first check.

I've been mentally flying my sortie since the start of the week. I admit, there are parts where I'm less prepared for, especially since we're not allowed to practice it on our solo flights. Today I've been going through the procedures and emergency checklists. I feel as if I'm ready. There's not much else that I can do now but relax and be confident of my flying.

As I was sitting in my room, browsing the net on news of new gadgets, my former lead cadet came in.

"I heard your P-check is tomorrow with PD."

"Yeah, just confirmed it this morning."

"Not to put more pressure on you, but... please pass in one go. R's students haven't been passing in one go lately and he's not going to like it when he comes back from his holiday."

"Ok, there's nothing much more I can do but just go out there and do my best."

R is a good instructor, he's what we call teddy bear love, because of his girth and his kindness. He puts a lot of confidence in his students, letting us go for our first solos quite quickly. He takes care of his students. Other instructors might teach through fear, berating the student when they do something wrong, R tells us what we need to improve and announces his dissapointment if we manage to cock something up. We feel disappointed in ourselves if he's disappointed with our flight.

Friday, October 21, 2005

Phase One Check

It's been almost a month since my last update. Maybe I had nothing to express, maybe I had nothing to tell my friends, maybe I was not as bored as I usually am. I have, however, been busy with my flying. Now I am just waiting for my first flight check, or test, if you prefer.

Monday saw the last of my solo flights for this phase. I've been waiting ever since then to be put up for my check. When I'll be tested is up to the availability of the Senior Flight Instructors. I was fourth on the list as it is. The planners have told me Saturday might be the day of reckoning for me.

What should I know for this check? Everything that has been taught to me until now. All the basics of flying, which consists of different kind of turns (rate 1, medium level, steep), the emergency procedures, forced landings, recovery from unusual attitudes, class G procedures, different methods of landing approaches, and basic knowledge of aeronautics.Abit nervous as this is considered one of the largest hurdles to achieve my goal as a commercial pilot.

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On another note, fasting has been non eventful. It's already been two weeks, and days are passing by as usual. The only difference is that I go to the gym less often. Could be said that I don't go to the gym nor play any sports at all now. Ah well, will regain my normal life style once Ramadhan is over.

I'll be celebrating Hari Raya in Perth this year. In the past ten years, I think I've celebrated raya with my family only twice. It's always been either studies, or work. Must make it a point to celebrate next year's raya with family. If anyone has an open house in Perth do invite me over.